Beautifully Broken

Evan, Bree’s fiancé, pats me on the back. “That’s how you know it’s good shit.”

I glare at him. “No, good alcohol is smooth. That crap was rocket fuel.”

Dylan throws his heavy arm around my shoulder. “Oh, Kitty. I couldn’t resist. It was for old time’s sake.”

“Baby, that was plain ol’ mean,” Rae chides with her sugary drawl.

Breanna isn’t the only one that found love. Dylan and Raelynn met at the University of Georgia and have been together for over two years now. He really thinks she’s the one. He plans to propose on her birthday in a few months. I’ll admit, when he first told me he met someone special, I was skeptical. I thought there was a possibility he was using her to get over his feelings for me. Until I met her and discovered that she’s a fiery redhead with no qualms about putting Dylan in his place. That poor boy never saw what hit him when he fell for her. I really like her though—we’ve seen each other on several visits now. She’s your quintessential Southern Belle—a perfect blend of beauty, impeccable manners, and sass.

I gulp some ice water. I rarely drink anymore so I make a point to down two waters for every glass of liquor I have. We’ve been here for almost an hour now and there’s been no sign of Gavin. I’m trying not to get worked up about it, but it’s a lost cause. Breanna gives me a sympathetic smile every time she sees me checking the time on my phone.

“Hey, Kat, do you want to dance?”

This comes from Alex, a guy that I met in my Educational Psychology class. He’s made his interest in me clear but he usually maintains a respectable distance. He knows that I’m not big on the whole dating thing so we usually hang out as a group. He’s really cute and sweet so Bree invited him before my run-in with Gavin. I think she’s trying to push me back on the horse, so to speak. When Alex showed up, I was concerned about him having an awkward encounter with Gavin. I guess I don’t need to worry about that now since Gavin’s a no-show.

“Um…” I chew on my lip debating my answer. Alex has had several drinks at this point and he’s getting pretty handsy. Exhibit A: said hand is on my thigh right now. I’m not sure if I want to put myself in a position where that could get any worse.

“Hi, Kat.”

I shiver when I hear his deep voice. I look up to find Gavin leaning against the railing, assessing the situation in front of him. I immediately stand up, leaving Alex and his wandering hands on the couch with Evan.

“Gavin…I didn’t think you were coming.”

“I’m sorry I’m late—I had a dinner meeting that ran over. I got here as soon as I could.”

“A meeting for what?”

He smiles. “I just accepted a position at the University of San Francisco. I was having dinner with the dean of the English department.”

“You’re a professor?”

“I am now…completed my PhD last spring.” He nods toward the group of people currently staring at us with curiosity. “Are you going to introduce me to your friends?”

I loop my arm through his as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “You already know Bree and Dylan. And that’s Breanna’s fiancé, Evan, Dylan’s girlfriend, Rae, and Alex. Alex and I know each other from school.” I point to each one as I make introductions. “Guys, this is, Gavin. An old…friend of mine.”

“Nice to meet you,” Gavin offers the group.

Dylan is glaring daggers at Gavin right now. He may have muttered something to the effect of what the fuck.

Bree senses the tension and jumps up from her position on Evan’s lap. “Gavin! I’m so happy you could make it. Would you like a drink? We just need to order on this tablet and they’ll bring it up.” She hands the device over to him.

“Sure…thanks.” Gavin moves his finger over the screen for a few moments and places it on the pub table closest to us before turning toward me. “Would you like to dance, Birthday Girl?”

I don’t even need to think about it. “I’d love to.”

He leads me to the metal staircase that connects the main floor of the club with the upper VIP areas. I look over my shoulder as we’re walking down and see Bree giving me a big smile with a thumbs-up.

We make our way to the dance floor right as the song switches to a slow, sensual beat. Obsidian lives up to its name with black walls, black furniture, and glossy black flooring. The only break in the theme is the brushed silver tabletops and a wall of blue lights behind the bar.

Gavin gives me a sexy grin as he pulls me into his arms. One hand spans almost the entire width of my bare back and the other rests on my hip. I knew it was going to test my resolve, but I wore this dress specifically with the hope that I would feel his fingertips on my skin. It’s pretty conservative from the front with its high neckline but the back dips down to my waist, barely covering the top of my ass. I wrap my arms around his neck and begin swaying with him to the beat.

“I love this dress.” His mouth is right against my ear so I can hear him over the music. “You look fucking edible.”

I suppress another shiver and lift my chin so he can read my lips. “Thank you.”

I’m not sure how long we stand there, completely motionless amongst a sea of writhing bodies. Gavin’s grip becomes tighter as his eyes flash with awareness. I’m blown away that he can still read my body like no other. I’m absolutely certain that my features do not betray my thoughts to the average onlooker—it’s a skill that I’ve honed to perfection over the years. But this man knows that I’m fighting a whirlwind of emotions from being in his arms again. He studies me carefully as an inner battle wages inside of me, waiting to see which one will become the victor.

He pulls me forward until my chest is flush against his. We simultaneously suck in air, proving that it’s futile to deny this crazy connection we have. I don’t know if it’s his heartbeat or mine, but there’s an erratic thumping between us, more powerful than the bass being emitted from the large speakers. Gavin’s pupils dilate as he lowers his head toward mine. I’m mindlessly pulled into his orbit until our lips are practically touching. We’re breathing the same air but neither one of us attempts to close the gap. My eyes glaze over as I picture us in a tangle of lips and limbs. It may be my imagination, but I think I moan.